Monday, September 15, 2008

Thanks Scott for a heads up and reminder on this, just wanted to add a few more tid bits of information as to why it is important to show your face at this meeting. As a group of mountainbikers we want to show that our presence cannot be ignored so now's our chance to be heard, also apparently the new director of recreation is more bike friendly (worked with the Capitol Forest folks). Why this new focus on recreation? Help DNR chart a course for recreation in Washington

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be looking to user groups and individuals to help create a new vision for recreation on DNR-managed forestlands, aquatic lands and natural areas. Throughout the month of September, DNR will host nine workshops across the state to gather input from interested citizens.

We invite you to come share your thoughts on the direction of recreation in Washington . Where do you recreate? What kinds of recreation activities do you enjoy? How easily can you access recreation on state-managed lands? Drop by various topic stations at one of the workshops, talk to staff and provide your thoughts on these and other questions.

DNR will bring your answers to these and other questions to the newly formed Sustainable Recreation Work Group. This group was established by the 2008 Legislature to assist DNR in developing a long-term vision that ensures safe, sustainable, and enjoyable outdoor recreation on DNR-managed land.

The last time the state officially addressed recreation issues on DNR-managed lands was 37 years ago with the passage of the Multiple Use Act in 1971. This act is based on the concept of state lands being available for multiple uses where appropriate, including various types of recreation. Since then, the face of recreation has changed significantly beyond what anyone envisioned. New forms of recreation have come on the scene including paragliding, mountain biking and paintball. Motorized off-road vehicle use has more than doubled in the state in the last 10 years. And, the overall volume of visitors to state lands has grown dramatically.

The Multiple Use Act still provides a solid foundation for recreation in Washington . Your input will help identify ways to better take into account the changing nature of recreation, pressures from a growing population, and the need to ensure the environmental health of DNR-managed lands.

Look for future e-mail messages with more information about the Sustainable Recreation Work Group, including a Web page address. In the meantime, if you'd like directions to any of the workshops, call Jana Greer at 360-902-1730 or send an e-mail to jana.greer@dnr.wa.gov.Hope to see you all there tomorrow ! - Summer

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Hey everyone,There is an important meeting with the DNR on Tuesday night at the Port Angeles library regarding the future of recreation on DNR lands. Across the state mountain bikers have been coming out in droves, so lets try and continue that trend and make a good showing. It's to all of our benefit for sure. I believe the meetin starts at 6pm. For more info, you can go to www.ridemonkey.com/forums go to the Pacific Northwest link and look for the DNR post. Scott

Monday, September 8, 2008

Well that was a productive meeting wasn't it? I'll report that which I remember do to about a 2 1/2 hour length!!-Laurie (the volunteer coordinator of the Olympic Adventure Route) came and requested our club adopt a 1 1/2 mile section below Kelley Peak. Sean stepped up to be the club leader for this project.-Wayne Fitzwater was present and shared his bosses reaction to some of the press from the races. Some good, some bad.-Sean H. brought some info regarding the Mt. Muller enhancement proposed by the National Forest. Please take some time and send in a comment (hopefully in support) of the changes.-We talked about the Fall Down, but I can't recall who's doing what?? Sorry-The club trip was brought up and is still planned for the first weekend of October. See Summer for more details.-Casey & Sean talked about the need to update our insurance shortly.-The Roundtable. Several of the club members indicated that morale was low amoungst a few members. We had a small group, with most of the core members so we let it out. Tyler even cried. Without getting into all the details, I believe there were a few misconceptions clarified and roles defined. One tangible change is that each meeting will feature a different chairperson. Summer volunteered to lead the next meeting, which includes setting the agenda.

That's all I remember. If I forgot anything important, contact me and I'll let it be known.ST

Some riders from ODS decieded to test their skills for the first time at a 15 mile XC race as well as the 6 mile Super D race in Olympia Washington ! Friends of Capital Forest FOCF was the host and they did a wonderful job of keeping us entertained, well fed, and very stoked to say the least ! Check them out at http://www.capitolforest.com/races2008.html as well as http://www.capitolforest.com/friendsofcapitolforest.html. FOCF plays host to a series of races during the year and we were able to hit up the last of their series. It was a blast, the scene was amazing with many familiar faces of those who have made their way over at some point or another to participate in our events as well. I can't say enough about our experience there, the camping area was phenomenal and the trails keep you wanting to come back for more. Representing team ODS was Sean Halberg taking in a 2nd in Sport XC and 7th in SD, Tyler Campbell a 1st in sport XC and a 4th in SD, Summer Northern 1st in sport XC and 5th pro SD and Shawn Sinskie showing up sunday for the SD and taking home 9th for the Expert Class. I will have to say that for a bunch of Downhillers we didn't do too bad representing the XC scene and we all had a blast. Check them out and come with us next year !!!!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Ricks at six as usual. Laurie (with the Olympic Discovery Trail) will be there first thing to invite us to adopt a chunk of the new adventure route. Other subjects include the B'ham trip, Fall Down, Race season wrap-up, and maybe some morale boosting. ST